A Field Book of the Stars

by William Tyler Olcott

Note a pair just below β. They are known as ω¹ and ω².

In this region of the sky have appeared many of the brilliant temporary stars, the first one in astronomical annals being discovered in 134 b.c.

Scorpius is mentioned by all the early writers on astronomy and is supposed to be so named because in Egypt it was a sickly time of the year when the sun entered this sign.

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LIBRA (lī´-bra)—THE SCALES. (Face Southwest.)

Location.—Libra is one of the signs of the zodiac, and lies between Virgo and Scorpius. Its two chief stars, α and β, may be recognized west of and above the head of the Scorpion.

The star ι Libræ is about 20° northwest of Antares in the Scorpion. Spica in Virgo, a star of the first magnitude, is a little over 20° northwest of α Libræ.

A quadrilateral is formed by the stars α, β, γ, ε, which characterizes the constellation.